Health Psychol. 1992;11(6):363-70. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
Beliefs concerning the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
and preventive behaviors were examined in a sample of 351 sexually
active Scottish teenagers. A postal questionnaire, including measures of
variables specified by the health belief model (HBM) and preventive
intentions, was employed. The relation between HBM measures and reported
endorsement of HIV-preventive intentions was investigated. Results
indicated that, in general, respondents intended to use condoms with new
sexual partners. The majority also intended to carry condoms if they
thought they might have sex with a new partner and to ask potential
partners about their previous sexual history. Multiple-regression
analyses showed that measures of health beliefs, gender, age, sexual
experience, and previous condom use accounted for 17.8% to 24.3% of the
variance in reported preventive intentions. Perceived barriers to
preventive behaviors were found to be important predictors. However, the
overall pattern of results raised questions concerning the adequacy of
the HBM as a model of the determinants of HIV-preventive intentions, and
the need for an extended model is discussed. Separate analyses were
conducted for men and women and for 16- and 18-year-olds, and the
implications for modeling intention formation in these subgroups are
considered. The relevance of these findings to HIV-preventive campaigns
is also discussed.
Adolescence *Attitude to Health Cohort Studies Condoms Female
Health Behavior Health Education/METHODS Health Promotion/*METHODS
Human HIV Infections/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION
*Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Male Scotland Sex Behavior Support,
Non-U.S. Gov't JOURNAL ARTICLE